Perhaps the central theme of Jewish Luck is searching for the place we belong, that is somewhere one can speak freely and associate with like-minded people.I used to travel for pure adventure and experience, but as I've matured, I notice that I am trying out each new spot as a potential retirement community. I play through in my mind where I might choose to live, how I might spend my day, and who my friends might be.
We just returned from one of my test trips in Utah where we stayed in our friends' mountain home.I tested it out to see if I belonged. I imagined the ecstasy of skiing on the powdery snow until my husband reminded me that I have only skied twice since I've known him.Then I imagined myself gliding down the bunny hill.
We had spectacular views while traveling on a chair lift except my eyes were closed most of the time because I am so afraid of heights.The problem with mountains is that they are very high up which means high altitudes and a lack of sufficient guardrails.I could imagine sliding off these passes during the winter.
The people – my friends and their cousins – were spectacular and I'd be happy in their company.
Then we descended to investigate Salt Lake City.I am a proselytophobe – I am afraid of evangelical people of all faiths.However, I thought it would be nice to see Temple Square.It was trippy seeing the talking Jesus who is 30 feet tall and listening to history recounted as you've never heard it before.I avoided all those smiling, beautiful young women in their knee-length skirts and covered shoulders and then I couldn't resist.I needed to know how the gold plated tablets got to the new world (via Lehigh's son, Nephi who was told to go to the new world in 600 BCE right before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem).I also wondered what language they were in – Aramaic of course.Before I knew it, I had a copy of the Book of Mormon in my hand.I asked the young girl if it had a tracker on it.I think she got my joke.
While there, I considered my friend's cousin's suggestion that Harry apply for a principal job in Salt Lake City and that I work as a psychologist with refugees which sounded perfect except we don't belong.I asked if there was an ulpan in Salt Lake City to help ordinary humans like us train toward physical fitness so we would feel as if we belonged in this overly fit culture*.I thought it was all meant to be until we got home and Harry explained to me why my latest retirement scheme wasn't practical.He opened with, "you don't like heat and we don't ski."
It's helpful to have someone who knows you well. On to the next idea.
*overly fit culture, a culture where even if you're over 40, you feel the need to bike up mountains.